Scarborough Fair

Let me share this beautiful English ballad with you. Here is the best version, I could find.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Remember me to one who lives there,

He (she) once was a true love of mine.

Tell him (her) to make me a cambric shirt,

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Without a seam or needle work,

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine.

Tell him (her) to wash it in yonder dry well

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Where water ne'er sprang, nor drop of rain fell

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine.

Tell him (her) to dry it on yonder grey thorn

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Which ne'er bore blossom since Adam was born

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine.

Tell him (her) to find me an acre of land

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Between the salt water and the sea strand

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine

Plow the land with the horn of a lamb

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Then sow some seeds from the north of the dam

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine

Tell him (her) to reap it with a sickle of leather

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

And tie up the sheaves with a rope made of heather

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine

If (s)he tells me (s)he can't I'll reply

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

"Let me know that at least you will try;"

Then (s)he'll be a true love of mine

"Love imposes impossible tasks,"

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

"Though never more than your own heart asks,

And I must know you're a true love of mine"

Dear, when thou hast finished thy task,

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,

Come to me, my hand for to ask,

For then thou art a true love of mine.

To read further about the history of this ballad, click here!